Bankrupt ex-hurling star faces jail for contempt of court

Former Wexford hurling star Paul Codd could end up being jailed for contempt of court unless he co-operates with the bankruptcy regime.

Last March, Mr Codd, an All-Ireland winner in 1996 and a former captain of Wexford, was adjudicated to be bankrupt by the High Court, following his failure to satisfy a judgment for €530,000 secured against him in 2011

The official assignee in bankruptcy, Chris Lehane, the court-appointed official whose role is to assist bankrupts in their obligations to their creditors, claims Mr Codd “is failing to engage” with him.

He told the court that Mr Codd had also failed to complete a statement of his affairs as required under bankruptcy laws.

Mr Codd must also meet with the official assignee and provide him with all the necessary documentation and information so Mr Lehane can administer the former hurler’s estate.

If he refuses to co-operate, Mr Codd would have to be questioned before the court about his affairs.

Mr Lehane said that, should Mr Codd fail to attend court on the next occasion, permission could be required from the court to bring a motion seeking Mr Codd’s attachment and committal to prison for alleged contempt.

Mr Justice John Hedigan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought. The matter was made returnable before the High Court on Oct 14.

The judge said Mr Codd must “face up to the realities” of his bankruptcy and co-operate with the official assignee. “Bankruptcy,” the judge added, is “not a form of punishment” but a way people can “extricate themselves from financial difficulties”.

Mr Codd, with an address given as Askinfarney, Clonroche, Co Wexford, was not present in court.

A James McCarthy attempted to make representations on Mr Codd’s behalf but Judge Hedigan said that as Mr McCarthy was neither a solicitor nor a barrister, he was not entitled to be heard.

Mr Codd’s debts, combined with those of his now-dissolved company, Paul Codd Ltd, are estimated to be about €4.9m.